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If you have information to be included in the next issue of the PEP bulletin, please send your text, image and link by Tuesday at 12pm to pep@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Reminder: All school contacts tracker |
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Please update any staffing changes in our All schools contacts 2024-25 spreadsheet. We are aiming to keep all of our key schools contacts centrally for ease of reference and to improve our communications.
The sheet is editable but please do not change the format or add any columns or rows. If you are experiencing any issues, please contact Lauren.Roe@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Inclusion
Festival of Friends Project to support service children |
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Do you have at least one pupil from an Armed Forces family on your roll? If so, please consider joining the Festival of Friends! This highly successful, innovative, year-long peer supported project, aimed at strengthening provision for service children, is running across Portsmouth and the Gosport/Fareham area this academic year.
Funded by the charity Armed Forces Education Trust and led by school improvement adviser Matt Blyton (who has a wealth of expertise in this area), the invitation letter provides further information. Matt will be running a webinar on Thursday 19 September 2024, 1.30pm - 2.15pm to provide more details to interested schools, answer questions and share some of the outcomes from a similar project that ran across Lincolnshire last year. Please join this if you would like (but you can sign up without attending it, if preferred).
Teams Meeting ID: 387 272 920 840 | Passcode: QbRyKP | Join the meeting now
Updates from the Neurodiversity team for the 24/25 academic year |
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1. Graduated approach
The neurodiversity team have been working to address concerns raised about the number of requests that schools are receiving for neurodiversity profiling tools to be completed. The feedback we have received is that sometimes these requests are inappropriate, and needs are already identified and being met through an alternative plan (e.g. IEP/PSP).
Concerns have also been raised that other services are recommending that profile tools are completed when it is not necessarily needed, or it would be appropriate for the service recommending the tool to complete the profiling tool with the family.
We are therefore proposing from September 2024 that a graduated approach is followed when there is a request for a neurodiversity profile to be completed. Please see the graduated approach document for further information on the process.
It is important to note that schools can still complete neurodiversity profiles for those pupils where they do feel it is appropriate without consulting with the Neurodiversity team. The aim of the process is to support schools with requests where a Neurodiversity profile may not be the most appropriate way forward and managing these to ensure that families receive appropriate support from the team. Your allocated family support worker will be in touch shortly to book in a consultation meeting with you.
2. University research project
Volunteers are still needed to take part in the research project with the University of Portsmouth, who are doing this research as an independent team. This is a positive opportunity to support the research into what is working well with the profiling tool and what could be improved. Participation is voluntary and will not affect your relationship with the Neurodiversity team of the Portsmouth City Council. Please email iris.nomikou@port.ac.uk for further information and to take part.
3. Insight Hub
The neurodiversity team are launching a digital solution to complete the ND profiling tool on the Insight Hub. Please email Neurodiversity0-19Enquiries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk to gain access to the module. Benefits of completing the tool on the hub are:
- Record of all the profiling tools active in your school
- An electronic copy of the profiling tool can be shared with parents
- Reviews of the profiling tool can be completed on the hub
- Electronic copies of the ND profile tool can be shared with the ND team
The following demonstration sessions are running to talk you through the profiling tool module: 26 September - 9.30am | 7 October - 11am | 22 October - 9.30am
Please email Neurodiversity0-19Enquiries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk to book a place.
4. Training offer
Details of the training offer for the autumn term can be found here. If you would like to discuss any specific training for your school or setting please get in touch and we will see how we can help and support.
Portsmouth Young Carers Service 2024-25 offer for schools and colleges |
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Please see below the support that the Young Carers Service can provide for young carers, their families and the professionals who support them.
Support for young carers:
- Young carers newsletters
- Regular groups and school holiday activities (some groups have a waiting list)
- Young carer advocacy at professional meetings
- Time-bonded one to one support when young people are not being supported by other professionals, where appropriate
Access to the service is via referral, by a parent, guardian or professional. Older young carers can also self-refer. A link to the referral form can be found here.
Free TAW support for schools and colleges:
- Training for school and college staff
- Assembly presentations - to deliver 'in house' or by our service
- Support to review your current young carers provision and to develop and implement an action plan
- A draft Young Carers Policy (designed for schools but can be adapted by colleges)
- Resources, e.g. a young carers notice board and setting up a young carers group
- TAW support relating to individual young carers
Please see the leaflet for more information, which can also be shared with young carers, families, staff, and on your school/college website.
Portsmouth SEND Local Offer Live returns to support families |
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Families who have children and young people up to the age of 25 years old with special educational needs and/or disabilities in the city are invited to attend Local Offer Live on Tuesday 1 October 2024 from 2pm - 6.30pm at the John Pounds Centre.
Please share this information with parents/carers as they will have a chance to meet a range of exhibitors who can provide resources and information on services available locally. They may also be able to make referrals to relevant organisations.
Attendees can watch short presentations on neurodiversity, Dynamite (young person's SEND group) and from other organisations too. There is no need to book – just turn up on the day!
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ELSA session with the Educational Psychology team |
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The Educational Psychology Team is offering a session on Microsoft Teams on Friday 4 October 2024 from 10.30am to 12pm for ELSA line managers, school leaders and/or SENCOs to talk to them about how to support and promote the ELSA role. We will talk about how to evaluate the impact of ELSA interventions, what ELSAs are and aren't trained to do, where ELSAs fit in the broader mental health and wellbeing system alongside MHST/MABS etc. and anything else you would like to discuss.
There will be a short presentation, resources given out and plenty of time for questions. The session will be free of charge. This is to promote the effectiveness of our ELSAs across the city as well as to support their wellbeing and job satisfaction.
You are welcome to attend whether you have ELSAs established in your school for many years, whether you have relatively new ELSAs or whether you are considering having ELSAs in your school/college/setting in the future and you want to know more.
If you would like to join this session, please email Philippa.Wilson@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
School improvement
Challenge Partners |
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Leadership of the (Wootton Bassett) Challenge Partners hub is being taken on this year by The De Curci Trust. Sara Spivey, CEO of The De Curci Trust, and Lucy Wilby, Executive Headteacher of Solent Infants and Juniors, will assume the roles of Co-Senior Partners; Laura Peterkin-Aldred will be taking on the role of Hub Manager.
As part of Challenge Partners stated mission to reduce education inequality and enhance the life chances of all children, hubs organise termly meetings so school leaders can discuss progress, share knowledge and collaborate to deliver a local action plan. Further information about Challenge Partners can be found in the school brochure, and is also published on their website.
For more information and/or to join Challenge Partners, please email Georgina Lambton, Partnership Manager: georgina.lambton@challengepartners.org - or feel free to contact Sara or Lucy for an informal conversation.
Updates from Portsmouth Music Hub |
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1. Gabrieli Roar
PGS and the Cathedral are co-hosting the 2024 Gabrieli Roar on Wednesday 27 November 2024. The international consort Gabrieli singers, Paul McCreesh and his ROAR TEAM came to Portsmouth in 2022 and we are looking to involve even more local schools than last time!
Schools are invited to send pupils who would like to take part in ‘A Georgian Christmas’ – complete with historic instruments, organ and massed choir. You can chose between big chorus (more simple) – and seniors stage chorus (a bit more challenging and including broken voices). Participating schools and choirs must complete the registration form by Friday 27 September.
Advanced workshops in schools have been pencilled in for 5 - 6 November. We are happy to include more students than are necessarily performing on 27 November and not concentrate on the Christmas repertoire for the whole duration.
Schools can download all the resources here, including backing tracks to all the pieces and videos to the scores. Please print as A4 stapled or binded booklets, so they can be easily read. Additional scores will not be provided on the day. If any school or choir is struggling with learning the material, please contact the Cathedral directly on 02392 823300.
2. Capital grant for musical instruments
As part of the government’s National Plan for Music Education, it has been announced that there will be a new £25 million investment in musical instruments and equipment, called the Capital Grant for musical instruments. The Capital Grant for Musical Instruments is for the purchase of musical instruments, equipment, and technology where it is use specifically for music-making purposes and to benefit children and young people. The Capital Grant for Musical Instruments will be allocated to newly appointed Hub Lead Organisations.
We invite you to answer our survey, on how we can invest in equipment and instrument to support YOU in the delivery of your Schools Music Development plans for Curriculum music, Co-Curricular music and Musical Experiences. We would encourage to include pupil voice feedback as part of this where possible. Please complete by Monday 23 September.
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Exciting new scheme for children to discover the South Downs |
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 Hundreds of schoolchildren from across the South East will be able to enjoy the wonders of the South Downs National Park thanks to a major funding boost. Schools from across Hampshire and Sussex – with over 30% of their pupils eligible for pupil premium funding – are now being invited to apply for fully-funded visits to the National Park.
Activities might include “discovery days” to develop a connection with nature, including learning about conservation, bushcraft, wild art and natural sciences, all within the breathtaking surrounds of the National Park. As the South Downs is one of only 22 International Dark Sky Reserves, children will have the opportunity to enjoy stargazing, learn about nocturnal wildlife and spend a night under the stars.
The National Park has also teamed up with The Sustainability Centre, near Petersfield, to offer fun residential stays for children, as well as Goodwood Education Trust, near Chichester, to offer farm visits.
e-Bug Programme – Free infection prevention resources for schools |
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The UK Health Security Agency’s e-Bug programme offers free, evidence-based lesson plans for students from Early Years to Key Stage 4, mapped to the national curriculum.
The materials introduce students to vital topics such as microbes, hygiene, vaccinations, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), helping them understand how to stay healthy and use medicines responsibly.
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Cost of the School Day calendar |
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The Child Action Poverty Group have developed a Cost of the School Day calendar to help schools to identify possible financial barriers during the academic year, and think about cost conscious alternatives ways to mark important dates and events, so that all children and young people can take part.
Deputy and assistant headteachers' conference |
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The next Portsmouth deputy and assistant headteachers' conference will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday 8 October 2024 at The Village Hotel (Cosham).
Full details including the agenda can be found here.
Participation and progression
Updates from Unloc |
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1. Primary Council of Portsmouth Students
Unloc are now recruiting for Portsmouth primary schools to be involved in the Primary Council of Portsmouth Students for 2024 - 2026. Regardless of whether your institution has been involved in the Student Forum before, sign-up for the next two years is required. All the information you need is here.
2. Accelerate
The Accelerate programme is back for its third year, delivered in collaboration with City of Portsmouth College! This programme aims to develop the confidence, aspirations and life skills of year 10 and 11 students in Portsmouth, whilst enabling them to explore aspects of college life and the many opportunities that exist as part of CoPC’s E6 programme.
- A fun, high energy and interactive programme designed to boost the confidence and skills of young people
- Comprised of 6 x 1 hour sessions, each based on one of the ‘E’s from E6
- The 6 hours of content is delivered in cohorts of 30 young people
- It can be delivered as 6 x 1 hour sessions, either spread over multiple weeks or all in one day and we can be very flexible with the delivery approach
- Each pupil will receive a certificate at the end of the programme and will be invited to a graduation event at City of Portsmouth College, with a special guest speaker
3. Portsmouth Student Leadership Network
The Portsmouth Student Leadership Network is back and is one of Unloc’s flagship programmes, consisting of two cohorts, one for aspiring leaders in year 8 and one for current or aspiring student leaders in years 10 and 11. This is a great opportunity for your students to network with like minded individuals, connect with inspiring leaders from the local community and develop their leadership skills and confidence to become effective leaders within your school community.
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Cohort
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Date
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Timings
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Location
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Sign up form
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Year 10/11
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Tuesday 12 November 2024
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9.30am - 1.30pm
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Unloc Changemaker Studios, Portsmouth Guildhall, PO1 2AB
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https://wkf.ms/4cIutLi
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Thursday 23 January 2025
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Tuesday 18 March 2025
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Year 8
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Thursday 14 November 2024
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9.30am - 1.30pm
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Unloc Changemaker Studios, Portsmouth Guildhall, PO1 2AB
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https://wkf.ms/3AQeGg5
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Tuesday 21 January 2025
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Thursday 20 March 2025
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Spaces for both the Accelerate programme and Portsmouth Student Leadership Network are very limited so please contact Faith at Unloc on faith@unloc.org.uk or 07786 409 956 for more information.
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Education Information Services school data meetings |
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The next school data manager meetings organised by Education Information Services (EIS) will take place towards the end of September. These meetings are aimed at staff responsible for data and statutory returns (including head teachers, finance officers, MIS managers or admin officers). They are of benefit to both new and to experienced colleagues.
The sessions will include updates on the School Census, School Profiles and School Workforce Census and other forthcoming data issues to ensure that schools are obtaining best value from the team. Sessions will be held via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 24 September 2024 (PM) and Thursday 26 September 2024 (AM).
Please book your session via the training and events area within the Portsmouth Traded Services website. Attendance is free for schools that purchase the EIS SLA. Schools that do not buy the full SLA can pay to attend on an ad hoc basis.
For further information, please email: education.informationservices@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Cycle to School Week |
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Cycle to School Week takes place from Monday 23 - Friday 27 September 2024, and Bikeability are promoting a pedal powered commute to school.
Swapping the car for cycling can make a big impact on emissions around your school, and helps to keep you fit and healthy too. If you'd like to have fun, get healthier, protect the environment, and save money, then make a pledge to pedal to school. When you make a pledge, Bikeability will send you an awesome activity pack!
Find everything you need to get cycling on the Bikeability website.
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"The relationships you form are really rewarding…” |
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Foster carers Vicki and Kevin have cared for over 50 children, young people and siblings through respite care, short-term and emergency placements, supported lodgings, or parent and child arrangements. These included caring for newborns, teens and pre-teens, and children with additional needs for just a few weeks up to 2 years.
Our carers are able to find the right fit of fostering for them whether that is a short or a long-term arrangement until the child or young person is ready to live independently or be reunited with family. Vicki adds for anyone considering fostering: “Go for it! There are lots of ‘what ifs’, but they can be sorted during the application process.”
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